Push button for radio receivers



June 24, 1947. M. J. PIFER. 2,422,981

PUSH BUTTON FQR RADIO RECEIVERS Filed Sept. 12, 1945 INVENTOR 7774777022 J Pbf'er ATTORNEY Patented June 24, 1947 PUSH BUTTON FOR RADIO RECEIVERS Marion J. Pifer, Williamsville, N. Y., assignor to Colonial Radio Corporation, Bufialo, N. Y.

Application September 12, 1945, Serial No. 615,757

6 Claims.

This invention relates to push buttons particularly intended and adapted for use in radio receivers having push button tuning, but it will be understood that my invention is not limited thereto and may be used in other apparatus Where it is desirable to have a push button arranged so that a particular function is performed when it is depressed, and when it is rotated, another function is performed.

In push buttons of the type heretofore used in radio receivers, the tuning mechanism was so connected to the push button that depression of the push button set the tuning mechanism to a predetermined position Where a particular station was received. This was usually accomplished by the well-known rocker and tilt bar mechanism comprising an adjustable cam which could be preset to a position such that a particular station was selected.

When it was desired to reset the button for a different station, some means was usuall provided for unlocking the cam, after which it could be set to its new position and locked again. This locking mean usually included a screw, access to which was had by removing the button in its entirety, thereby exposing the screw. This made the resetting of stations inconvenient and called for the use of a screw driver or similar implement.

While some arrangements have been proposed by which the button itself could be used as a tool for locking and unlocking the cam, such arrangements were expensive and required close tolerances and were, therefore, unavailable for use on inexpensive receivers. In such receivers, which by their very nature employ a minimum of accurately machined parts, the clearance between the escutcheon plate and the push button was frequently a much as one-sixteenth of an inch, or even larger, and since the buttons could not be accurately centered, the appearance of the front panel was usually unsightly.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a push button arrangement which is relatively inexpensive and in which the construction is such that a close fit may be obtained between the button and the escutcheon plate, without requiring the use of accurately machined parts.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such an arrangementin which the button itself serves as the tool employed to lock and unlock the setting cam so that the use of tools is not necessary in resetting stations.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a push button construction in which the button head floats on its support, enabling a close fit with the escutcheon plate without requiring precision manufacture of any of the parts.

Still other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the specification.

The features of novelty which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My invention itself, however, both as to its fundamental principles and as to its particular embodiments, will best be understood by reference to the specification and accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a push button plunger and cam assembly employed in accordance with my invention, and

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, both views being partly in section.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, l designates the escutcheon plate or front panel of the receiver, provided with an opening through which projects push button head '2. This may, and usually will, be molded plastic, and I prefer to make it rectangular, although other shapes may be employed if desired.

Projecting inwardly from the push button head there i provided stud 3, and mounted thereon,

sleeve 4, which may be of metal having a diameter preferably not exceeding the thickness of the push button head. The inner extremity of sleeve 4 may be formed into portion 4a of reduced diameter.

Mounted within the sleeve I provide clamping bolt 5, having its projecting extremity screw threaded, and having squared portion 50. adjacent head 51). The end of reduced portion 4a of sleeve 4 is preferably provided with an opening of the same shape as portion 5a, and having just sufficient clearance so that portion 5a will enter the opening, and when the button is turned, will cause screw 5 to rotate.

Screw 5 is normally held with its head 5b against stud 3 through the action of spring 6 within the sleeve, and engaging head 5b and the inside end of sleeve at 4a. The threaded portion of screw 5 carries plunger 1, to which cam 8 is pivotally attached. This may be accomplished by standing out ears 9 and II] on plunger 1- and forming openings therein which are screw threaded to receive the threads of screw 5.

Clamping plate II is also provided and, as will be seen, rotation of screw 5 in a direction to cause it to move to the right in Fig. lpresses locking plate I I tightly against cam 8, looking it in position. Rotation of the screw in the opposite direction, causing it to move to the left, releases the pressure between locking plate I I and cam 8,

so that cam 8 may now be rotated on its pivot 8a.

Supposing cam 8 is set for a particular station and the operator wishes to reset it to another station, he will then grasp head 2 of the push button, pulling it outwardly against the pressure of spring 6 until spring 6 is compressed to a sufficient point to permit square portion a to enter the square opening in end 4a of the sleeve.

This motion is suificient to clear square portion 2 from escutcheon plate I, and the button may now be rotated to unlock locking plate ll. After this is done, the button is released and returns to its initial position. The set may then be manually tuned to the desired station and the button again depressed. This time since cam 8 is free to rotate, it will be turned by the tilt bar (not shown) to the new position, which corresponds to the new station.

The operator will then grasp push button 2,

pull it out as before until the square portion 5a engages with the square hole in end 4a of the sleeve, and will then rotate the button in the opposite direction (clockwise) until locking plate H is tightly clamped against cam 8 to hold it in position. This completes the operation for setting up a new station, and the operator then releases the button, which returns to the position shown in Fig. 1.

For purposes of simplicity, I have omitted much of the mechanical structure found in such tuners,

including the framework for holding plunger '1, which will be provided with guides in which the plunger slides, and also with stops limiting its forward and rearward motion, and also with springs holding it normally in forward position; that is, toward the front panel.

It will be seen that with this construction plunger 1 is firmly secured in position, and likewise firmly secures screw 5 in position. The button head floats on screw 5, and may be freely moved over a considerable distance, which may be as much as one-eighth of an inch, without introducing any binding or improper action.

This is sufficient to accommodate any differences likely to occur due to improper positioning of the escutcheon plate or the openings in it, and with this construction I have found that it is no longer necessary to provide a wide clearance between the hole in escutcheon plate I and the button, but that, in fact, this clearance can be reduced to as little as one-thousandth of an inch, or even less.

In the specification I have explained the principles of my invention and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying those principles, so as to distinguish my invention from other inventions; and I have particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed the part, improvement, or combination which I claim as my invention or discovery.

While I have shown and described certain preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that modifications and changes may be made without. departing from the spirit and scope thereof, as will be clear to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A new article ofmanufacture comprising a push button head terminating at its rear end in a, stud, a sleeve mounted on said stud, the rear end: of said sleeve terminating in a non-circular openin a bolt positioned with its head within said sleeve, a spring normally biasing the head of. said bolt against, the rear face of said stud, said bolt having adjacent its head a portion shaped to fit the opening in the rear of said sleeve when the head is pulled outwardly, whereby the bolt may be rotated by pulling the push button head out and rotating said head.

2. A new article of manufacture comprising a push button head terminating at its rear end in a stud, a sleeve mounted on said stud, the rear end of said sleeve terminating in a non-circular opening, a bolt positioned with its head within said sleeve, a spring normally biasin the head of said bolt against the rear face of said stud, said bolt having adjacent its head a portion larger than the threaded portion of said bolt but smaller than the head thereof, said portion being shaped to fit the opening in the rear of said sleeve when the head is pulled outwardly, whereby the bolt may be rotated by pulling the push button head out and rotating said head.

3. A new article of manufacture comprising a push button head terminating at its rear end in a stud, a sleeve mounted on said stud, the rear end of said sleeve terminating in a non circular opening, a bolt positioned with its head within said sleeve, said head being substantially smaller in diameter than the inside diameter of said sleeve to provide substantial clearance, a spring normally biasing the head of said bolt against the rear face of said stud, said bolt having adjacent its head a portion larger than the threaded portion of said bolt but smaller than the head thereof, said portion being shaped to fit the opening in the rear of said sleeve when the head is pulled outwardly, whereby the bolt may be rotated by pulling the push button head out and rotating said head.

4. In push button tuning apparatus, in combination, a plunger, a cam mounted for rotation on said plunger, a locking plate on said plunger adjacent said cam, a bolt carried by said plunger for pressing said locking plate against said cam. said bolt having a threaded portion at one end for engaging said plunger, and a head portion the other end, and having an intermediate portion between said head portion and said threaded portion, said intermediate portion being larger in diameter than said threaded portion, and having a non-circular shape, a sleeve surrounding said bolt and having at its inner end an opening with which said intermediate portion registers, and a push button head mounted in said sleeve to extend outwardly through the escutcheon plate, whereby a close fit may be provided between said push button head and said escutcheon plate without impeding the operation of said push button.

5. In push button tuning apparatus, in ccrnbination, a plunger, a cam mounted for rotation on said plunger, a locking plate on said plunger adjacent said cam, a bolt carried by said plunger for pressing said locking plate against said cam, said bolt having a threaded portion at one end for engaging said plunger, and a head portion at the other end, and having an intermediate portion between said head portion and said threaded portion, said intermediate portion being larger i .1 diameter than said threaded portion, and having a non-circular shape, a sleeve surrounding said bolt and having at its inner end an opening with which said intermediate portion registers, the inner diameter of said sleeve substantially exceeding the diameter of the head of said bolt to provide a substantial clearance, and a push button head mounted in said sleeve, extending outwardly through the escutcheon plate, whereby a close fit may be provided between said push button head and said escutcheon plate without impeding the operation of saidpush button.

6. In push button tuning apparatus, in combination, a plunger, a cam mounted for rotation on said plunger, a locking plate on said plunger adjacent said cam, a bolt carried by said plunger for pressing said locking plate against said cam, said bolt having a threaded portion at one end for engaging said plunger, and a head portion at the other end, and having an intermediate portion between said head portion and said threaded portion, said intermediate portion being larger in diameter than said threaded portion, and having a non-circular shape, a sleeve surrounding said bolt and having at its inner end an opening with which said intermediate portion registers, the inner diameter of said sleeve substantially exceeding the diameter of the head of said bolt to provide a substantial clearance, a

6 push button head mounted in said sleeve, extending outwardly through the escutcheon plate, whereby a close fit may be provided between said push button head and said escutcheon plate without impeding the operation of said push button, and a spring normally pressing the head of said bolt into engagement with said push button head.

MARION J. PIFER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,267,474 McGarvey Dec. 23, 1941 2,260,599 Benton et a1. Oct. 28, 1941 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,422,981. June 24, 1947.

MARION J. PIFER It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Column 2, line 46, for standing read stamping; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ol'fice.

Signed and sealed this 7th day of October, A. D. 1947.

[SEAL] THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Uommz'ssioner 0 f Patents. 

